Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Strange bowel movements...

Hi there,

Hoping someone can help me. I posted a similar question a while ago, but there have been some developments.

Since the new year, I have had weird bowel movements on and off.

I have unformed (ie extremely soft but not watery) movements first thing in the morning. I only 'go' once a day. This lasts for a week or two and then everything suddenly reverts back to perfectly normal stools (firm, shaped). Everything will be fine for a few weeks, and then the soft stools will start again.

There is no pain, but there is urgency to go. I have been trying to think logically about this, and it doesn't really seem like an infection (which I would think of as being signalled more by diarrhea and that would either persist or gradually get better as opposed to spontaneously). I have been monitoring my diet, and nothing seems to make much difference.

I have been anxious / stressed recently, but surely if this was anxiety related, wouldn't the two always co-incide? The doctor didn't run any tests when I visited him, but said it could be anxiety.

Any help / input would be great.
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Stress/anxiety related bowel issues don't always coincide with each other.

It's much more common that once the stress/anxiety producing event(s) are relieved or over, that THEN the bowel acts up.  Your body goes into fight/flight mode when the stress/anxiety is high, and when that is lessened the after effects can hit.  This can take a day or two or more before bowel issues arise from a stress (adrenaline) hit.

When my dad passed, it was 2 days before my mom ran into diarrhea problems, and she's a lady that has never had bowel problems. She turned to me (an IBS sufferer for help, and for some of my immodium).  Her GI distress lasted a few days, and then subsided on it's own.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Id look into food-intolerances. Gluten especially. Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I should also say that I am 24y/o male & my diet is pretty balanced.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Community

Top Digestive Answerers
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem